Page 103 of Even Beneath the Stars

Icatch Finn’s wide, worried eyes.

Swallow hard.

Force a grin as I fall back into my seat. “Hey—" I motion at Finn's plate "—don't feel bad if you leave those hazelnuts. They look like rabbit poop."

My brother’s giggle bursts out, and the sound eases something in my chest.

For a second, I think showing up was the right call after all.

I catch the attention of a passing waitress. “Yeah, sorry… Can you get me uh… some ice-cream?” I ask. My throat is dryer than a desert. “Like, uh, just vanilla ice-cream or something?”

"Of course, I—"

"No," my father snaps,cutting her off. "Do not bring him anything."

She nods anddisappears so fast, you’d think hethreatened her family.

"You embarrassed us all when you stumbled in here like some half-witted delinquent off the street," my father continues. "You will not embarrass usagain. Is that clear?"

My tongue pushes into my bottom lip. I nod. "Clear as your priorities, Sir."

Then my stomach lurches as he leans over and grabs my forearm, jerking me forward. My body goes rigid. The vein in my father’s forehead pulses double-time and his wrinkled knuckles whiten around my tanned skin.

"Iwill nottolerate this insubordination," he hisses, yanking me with enough force my torso slams into the table's rim, causing everyone's drinks to slosh and ice cubes to rattle in their glasses. And my ribs to scream in protest.

I don’t pull away, even though I’m bigger and ten times stronger than him. Still haven’t figured out why I never do.

But I do glare back, and he’s not used to that.

His eyes flare, the vein in his forehead pulsing again as he speaks through clenched teeth. "You will sit there. Eat the dessert your mother ordered without uttering another word. And when it’s time to leave, Carl will come in and escort you to the car, so that you don’t crash into a potted fern and publicly embarrass us all for a second time this afternoon."

I stare back in silence, chewing on the inside of my cheek. My father yanks on my arm again and I inhale sharply, my hand pushing against my ribs on impulse when the edge of the table digs into me.

"Did your thick, inebriated brain get all of that, or do I need to repeat myself?"

My voice sounds flat when I say, "Think I got it."

I can feel the other diners’ sideways glances, their poorly concealed interest in the family drama playing out in the middle of Sandy Haven’s most prestigious establishment.

Barron releases my arm. "Good. Then we're clear."

I fall back in my chair.

Under the table, Finn reaches out to stroke my leg over the faded denim of my jeans with the tips of his fingers. I slide my hand over his and give it a reassuring squeeze.

I choke down dessert, my stomach twisting.

When it’s time to leave, Irefuseto get in the car with my parents. Carl, our driver,tries to corral me.

I step back. "I’m taking a cab."

Finn pipes up. "I want to go with Xave."

My mother’s face goes pale. People arewatching.

Finn’s on the brink of tears.

Then Maggie’s voicecuts through the chaos. "I have my car here. I can take them home."

---